Research

Research Interests

I study the design and development of intelligent algorithms and smart technologies required for developing the next generation of collaborative robots — robots that can work with, for, and around humans.

The ability to work and interact with robots provides exciting opportunities for expanding the use of robots beyond traditional industrial automation to new and unconventional applications. The next-generation of collaborative robots are expected to work with humans in farms and greenhouses to plant, harvesting, and process fruits and vegetables, or work around humans in medical centres, factories, and airports to provide assistance and boost work productivities, or even work for humans in homes to do household chores.

The biggest challenge in developing collaborative robots, despite what an ordinary person might think (or at lease how Hollywood tends to portray it), is not the robot intelligence but rather the ability of the robot to physically interact with the world. Through advancing scientific knowledge and developing innovative technologies, my research provides practical solutions that allow robots make their way into functional roles in everyday human environments. An example of such systems is the world first robotic mushroom harvesting system that was developed in may lab and is now successfully commercialized.

Research Group and New Positions

Current Members

Director
- Mehrdad R. Kermani, Ph.D., P.Eng.,
Ph.D. Students
- Ziqi Yang (January 2021 - present)
- Navid Feizi (Jan. 2019 - present)
- Shuwei Qiu (Sep. 2017 - present)
- Sergey Pisetskiy (Jan. 2016 - present)
- Moteaal Asadi Shirzi (Sep. 2020 - present)
Master's Students
- Yousef Kabbani (January 2021 - present)

Alumni

Postdoctoral Fellow
- Vahid Sotoudehnejad (Oct. 2015 - Mar. 2017)
Ph.D.
- Mahyar Abdeetedal (Jan. 2014 - Jan. 2018)
- Alex Shafer (Jan. 2010 - All but Degree)
- Nima Najmaei (Sep. 2009 - Dec. 2014)
- Payman Yadmellat (Sep. 2009 - Dec. 2013)
- Vahid Sotoudehnejad (Sep. 2009 - Dec. 2013)
- Ali Asadian (Jan. 2008 - Apr. 2013)
M.Sc.
- Ziqi Yang (Sep. 2018 - Dec. 2020)
- Shuwei Qiu (Sep. 2016 - Sep. 2017)
- Stefan Glibetic (Sep. 2015 - Dec. 2017)
- Nikita Kuchinsky (Sep. 2014- Feb. 2016)
- Masoud Moghani (Jan. 2014- Aug. 2016)
- Wenjun Li (Sep. 2012 - May 2014)
- Mahdi Anooshahpour (Sep. 2009 - Sep. 2011)
- Alex Shafer (May 2007 - Dec. 2009)
- Khalid Habib (Sep. 2006 - Dec. 2009)
- Nima Najmaei (Sep. 2007 - Aug. 2009)
- Mohammed Allawati (Sep. 2006 - Mar. 2009)
M.Eng.
- Aniket S. Jayawant (Jan. 2020 - present)
- Ziqi Yang (Sep. 2018 - Aug. 2019, transfered to M.Sc.)
- Shuwei Qiu (Sep. 2015 - Aug. 2016, transfered to Ph.D.)
- Jianwen Yang (Sep. 2015 - Aug. 2016)
- Nikita Kuchinskiy (Jan. 2014 - Aug. 2014, transfered to M.Sc.)
- Funmibi Serrano (Jan. 2012 - Dec. 2012)
- Wenjun Li (Sep. 2011 - Aug. 2012, transfered to M.Sc.)
- Jesse Imbuchi (Jan. 2010 - Dec. 2010)
- Alex Shafer (Sep. 2006 - Aug. 2007)

Available Positions

Currently there are two avaibale Ph.D. postions for candidates who have strong backgrond in one the following two area, (a) control systems and hands-on skills in mechtronincs, (b) advanced image processing.

Students holding NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships or other Graduate Scholarships are encouraged and especially welcome to apply.

Highly motivated candidates interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree are welcome to submit an official application for admission to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and include my name as their suggested supervisor on the application form. In addtion, please send the following documents to mkermani@eng.uwo.ca: